my asian world

“On Air”: An Unexpected Treat

I was in between breaks from my asian movies marathon weekend and I chanced upon a couple of reviews of the series “On Air”. It was not a professional review but more of a fan review which I prefer since I am not into the technicalities of a drama series.

When On Air was airing few months back, I tried watching a few episodes but I can’t get past one of the leading actress character or acting, the childish Young Eun played by Song Yun Ah and so even if I was beginning to like Lee Kyung Min played by Park Yong Ha, I shelved the series and told myself that with the very few free time I had, I won’t spend it with On Air. I couldnt care less if it was enjoying good and decent TV ratings. The shouting scenes was irritating.

Thankfully, I was given another chance to appreciate the series. So, instead of watching my asian movies line up, I had an “On Air” marathon and surprisingly, I enjoyed it. It was not the best that I’ve watched but it was quite entertaining and different from other korean dramas.

Kim Ha Neul was exceptional as the difficult top celebrity. She proved that she is not just another pretty face in the korean entertainment industry. It took awhile before I began to appreciate Lee Bum Soo and Song Yun Ah. And as always, I am a sucker for cute guys, I liked Park Yong Ha immediately. The hyperactive role of Song Yun Ah was a bit distracting too me but all in all, it was quite good. She was adorable starting from a few episodes before the last.

There was some situations in the story that I could not understand especially when it’s about korean entertainment world, I do not know if its cultural differences or the way it was played out but since I did not have any expectations about it except that there were some fans who said that it was a good drama, I’d say, its a good thing I gave it another chance.

The OST is also a plus. Click here to download it. It’s not mine, I just saw it somewhere.

I am also a sucker for happy endings and so this drama series is a thumbs up for me.

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Absolutely agree with you on this one. “On Air” is one of those few Korean dramas that upon finishing the last episode, I go right back to retrace from the first.

I love the obvious departures from the norm here:

1) The male leads are genuinely POOR, and they do not have hidden assets or secret rich connections (the lie Jang Gi-jun tells in exasperation that he is from a rich farming family is hilarious). Park Yong-ha’s character is saddled with debts incurred by his sibling and even has his salary docked for that reason. In fact, it would appear his job is constantly under threat. He does not own a car, and even drives Seo Young-eun around in HER car. Indeed, it is the female leads who have the money, and even so, they started relatively poor. Everyone works hard for a living in this show.

2) The female lead Young-eun appears to be in her thirties, is divorced with a ten-year-old son. This is not exactly the first time we have a female lead much older than the male though.

3) Jang, played by Lee Bum Soo, is short and squat, and his lack of height and looks is in stark contrast to the gorgeous and glamorous diva Oh Seung-ah. That she should first love him with such steadfastness and devotion seems most incredible, even to him, judging by the many shellshocked expressions Jang wears whenever Seung-ah hints at her love.

4) Conflicted love so typical of Korean romantic drama is thankfully kept in check here: Gyeong-min agonises over Young-eun’s reluctance within just ONE episode, — in fact, all it takes is one scene of him brooding before he resolves his dilemma. His love is unwavering and decisive. He does not need to explain to himself or the audience or even Young-eun why he loves her. He just does. And having watched how they grew even in their professional relationship through the previous episodes, I find their mutual love and respect for each other utterly convincing. I am grateful that we are spared the usual hogwash why a couple so obviously in love cannot be with each other.

I also like the self-derisive treatment and tone throughout, e.g. when Young-eun and Gyeong-min bicker about the need to shoot overseas and that has come to be expected in Korean drama, or the references to overused and convenient plots of cancer and amnesia, or the dig at Young-eun’s embarrassingly cheesy lines.

What I like most would be that despite these departures and self-mockery, the show itself demonstrates the conflict between the need to stick to a safe formula to secure high viewership and the need to do something entirely different. Episode ratings of the show attest to the principle of giving what most viewers want: a good-looking couple, romantic scenery (a fair bit shot in Taiwan), and of course, that happy ending to satisfy romantics.

The drama while not entirely ground-breaking in content or treatment is still highly charming and entertaining.

thanks for the long comment a.k.a review…it was very insightful…i hope i can invite you to post some more reviews if you want…not as comments but blogs…you see im quite busy and i can’t seem to really juggle my sked that well…just give me a holler if you want…thanks again..